Mwakipesile
David grew up in Tanzania with the belief that people and wildlife are meant to coexist. In his current role, he works to implement solutions that bring conservation and community development together, helping people and wildlife live in relative harmony. His work focuses on supporting communities in addressing complex challenges such as human–wildlife conflict, strengthening relationships between local communities and the Grumeti Fund, and nurturing co-management partnerships with Tanzanian government entities that enable innovative conservation initiatives.
David holds a Bachelor of Science in Wildlife Management from Sokoine University of Agriculture. Before joining the Grumeti Fund, he gained experience working across several protected areas in Tanzania with government conservation institutions, including the Wildlife Division under the Ministry of Natural Resources and Tourism, now known as the Tanzania Wildlife Management Authority (TAWA). Through these roles, he developed strong working relationships with government organizations, non-governmental organizations, and local communities, and continues to believe that strong partnerships are key to achieving meaningful conservation and community livelihood outcomes.